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SERMON 


DELIVERED    BEFORE    THE    MEMBERS    OF    THE 


FEMALE  CHARITABLE  SOCIETY 


NEWBURYPORT, 


May  22,  I8O9: 


IT  BEING  THEIR  SIXTH  ANNIVERSArxY. 


7 

By  JOSEPH  BUCKMINSTER,  d.  d. 

PASTOR    OF    THE    FIRST    CHURCH    IN    PORTSMOUTH   (n,  H.) 


PUBLISHED  AT  THE  REQUEST  OF  THE  MANAGERS. 


NEWBURYPORT : 

Printed  by  EDMUND  M.  BLUNT. 

.•1809.-» 


A  SERMON,  ^'c. 

COLOSSIANS— 3d.  chapter,  12th.  verse. 
"  PUT  ON  THEREFORE  BOWELS  OF  MERCIES." 

BENEVOLENCE  and  compassion  are 
affections  and  dispositions,  to  which  all  men 
make  pretensions,  and  which  all  agree  to  praise. 
They  can  never  want  objects  or  occasions  of  ex- 
ercise while  the  earth  is  subject  to  the  curse  of 
God,  or  man  is  heir  to  the  fruits  of  the  apostacy. 
And  where  a  God  is  known,  and  his  gospel 
acknowledged,  they  can  never  want  the  most 
powerful  incentives.  "  God  is  Love" — this  is 
his  nature  this  his  essence.  But  this  fullness  of 
the  godhead  softened  into  mercy  towards  our 
race,  when  rendered  guilty  and  miserable  by 
their  sad  apostacy,  and  the  bowels  of  Divine 
compassion  yearned  towards  them.  He  said 
unto  them  live  ;  aAd  the  time  was  a  time  of 
love.  These  purposes  of  mercy  could  not  be 
effected  in  their  full  extent,  but  by  infinite  sa- 
crifice in  the  court  of  Heaven.  God  so  loved 
the  w^orld,  as  to  set  forth  his  only  begotten  Son 
to  be  the  propitiation  for  the  sins  of  men,  and 
to  lay  on  him  the  iniquities  of  his  people  ;  he 


responded  this  love  in  these  ready  and  cheerful 
accents — "  Lo,  I  come  :  in  the  volume  of  the 
book  it  is  written  of  me  :    I  delight  to  do  thy 
will,  0  my  God :    Yea,  thy  law  is  within  my 
heart/'     For  as  much  as  the  children  v/ere  par- 
takers of  flesh  and  blood,  he  also  himself  took 
part  of  the  same,  in  the  form  of  a  servant,  a 
grade  below  his  angels.     For  as  much  as  they 
were  sinners,   he  was  made  a  sin  offering,  and 
they  being  under  a  sentence  of  death,  he  tasted 
death  for  them.     In  this  mysterious  personage, 
produced  by  the  efforts  of  infinite  love  and  wis- 
dom, we  see  combined  the  titles  of  a  just  God 
and  Saviour.     We  see  mercy  and  truth  meet- 
ing together,    righteousness  and  peace  embra- 
ing  each  other.     We  see  every  attribute  of  the 
Deity  gloriously  displayed  in  combined  array, 
while  mercy  and  compassion  to  sinners  lead  their 
van.     VvVIl  might  the  Apostle  say,  "  herein  is 
love,  not  tliat  we  loved  God,  but  that  he  loved 
us,  and  sent  his  So^i  to  be  the  propitiation  for 
our  sins.     AndifGpdso  loved  us,  we  ought 
also  to  love  one  another,  and  study  to  be  mer- 
ciful, even  as  our  Father,  who  is  in  Heaven,  is 
merciful.'' 

Though  the  afilictions  of  this  present  life  are 
not  worthy  to  be  compared  v/itli  the  miseries  of 


5 

futuritj,  or  with  the  glory,  that  is  to  be  revealed 
in  the  Saints,  yet  are  they  often  many  and  very 
great;  and  from  them  no  age,  station,  or  con^ 
dition  of  life  can  claim  exemption.  It  was  fit 
that  man  should  taste  the  fruits  of  his  folly ;  that 
he  should  know  by  sensible  experience,  that  it 
was  an  evil  thing  and  bitter,  that  he  had  sinned 
against  the  Lord  ;  and  by  present  sufferings  be 
taught  more  highly  to  appreciate,  and  more 
humbly  receive  the  riches  of  Divine  grace  and 
mercy.  Therefore,  when  God  promised,  that 
the  seed  of  the  woman  should  bruise  the  ser- 
pent's head  to  rescue  the  hearts  of  our  first  Par- 
ents from  utter  despondency,  he  also  said  to  the 
woman,  "  I  will  greatly  multiply  thy  sorrow, 
and  thy  conception ;  in  sorrow  thou  shalt  brino- 
forth  children  ;  and  to  Adam,  cursed  be  the 
ground  for  thy  sake  ;  in  sorrow  shalt  thou  eat 
of  it;  thorns  and  thistles,  shall  it  bear  unto  thee ; 
in  the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  bread, 
till  thou  return  to  the  ground ;  for  out  of  it  wast 
thou  taken :  dust  thou  art,  and  unto  dust  thou 
shalt  return."  Since  that  period  the  world  has 
been  an  Aceldama  ;  the  human  heart,  the  seat 
of  direful  and  destructive  passions.  Diversified 
distress  has,  at  intervals,  marked  every  rank  and 
path  of  life  ;  and  sin  and  poverty,  disease  and 


cleath  have  maintained  their  empire.  So  that 
the  whole  human  family  are  at  different  times, 
in  different  respects,  and  to  different  degrees, 
the  objects  of  sympathy  and  compassion  to  all. 
The  circumstances  and  conditions  of  men  are 
greatly  diversified,  and  frequently  changing 
in  the  present  state — arranged  and  ordered, 
not  according  to  the  merit  or  demerit  of 
man,  but  according  to  the  infinite  wisdom 
and  unerring  counsel  of  God  ;  to  perfect  this 
state  as  a  state  of  discipline,  to  afford  oppor- 
tunity and  occasion  for  the  exercise  of  those 
graces  and  corruptions,  which  test  the  human 
character,  and  to  prepare  for  a  state  of  eternal 
retribution.  "  God  hath  set  prosperity  and  ad- 
versity, the  one  over  against  the  other,  to  the 
end  that  man  should  find  nothing  after  him ;'' 
should  find  nothino;  wanting;  in  the  divine  ar- 
rangement  or  dispensation,  that  should  operate 
as  a  suitable  mean  to  prepare  rational,  moral, 
sinful  creatures  for  a  day  of  reckoning  and  a 
state  of  retribution  :  For  tho'  salvation  is  of  the 
Lord,  and  it  is  altogether  of  grace  that  any  are 
saved  ;  yet  let  it  be  remembered,  it  is  through 
faith,  which  faith  comes  by  hearing,  and  is 
wrought  in  the  heart,  or  bestowed  upon  the 
subject  agreeably  to  bis  nature,   as  a  rational, 


7 

free,  moral  agent.  And  the  wonderful  scheme 
of  mercy,  that  provides  free  pardon  and  salva- 
tion for  sinners,  effects,  through  the  instrumen- 
tality of  providences  and  instituted  means,  the 
redem  ption  of  the  happy  subjects  from  iniquity, 
and  purifies  them  to  the  Lord, "  a  peculiar  people, 
zealous  of  good  works."  God  hath  chosen  us  in 
Christ,  that  we  should  be  holy  and  without  blame 
before  him  in  love ;  hath  chosen  us  to  salvation 
through  sanctification  of  the  spirit  and  belief  of 
the  truth.  And  thus,  while  judged  according 
to  the  Gospel,  we  are  every  one  to  give  account 
of  himself  to  God,  and  to  receive  according  to 
that  he  hath  done,  whether  it  be  good  or  wheth- 
er it  be  evil.  The  whole  compass  of  our  duty, 
religious,  relative  and  social — of  rank,  station, 
and  condition  in  life,  will  come  into  this  ac- 
count. And  the  authority  that  enjoins  us  to 
love  God  with  all  our  heart,  requires  us  to  love 
our  neighbour  as  ourselves.  The  Gospel,  which 
confirms  this  authority,  ministers  grace  to  help 
us  to  perform  this  duty.  And  while  it  requires 
us  to  put  on  bowels  of  mercies^  it  presents  to  us 
the  brightest  example  of  them,  in  the  character 
and  works  of  Christ ;  and  exhibits  the  most  pow- 
erful motives  and  incentives  to  their  exercise. 


"  Put  on  therefore,  bowels  of  mercies/*  In  med- 
itating on  these  words — We  shall 

I.  Make  a  few  remarks,  explanatory  of  the 
\rords. 

II.  Consider  the  more  appropriate  objects  of 
these  bowels  of  mercies. 

III.  Offer  some  motives  and  arguments  to 
excite  to  the  performance  ot  the  duty  enjoined 
--and  lastly, 

Make  some  improvement  with  reference  to 
the  object  of  our  present  meeting.  May  God 
be  glorified,  and  we  accepted  ! 

I.  We  are  to  make  a  few  remarks  explana- 
tory of  the  words.     "  Fnt  on  bowels  of  mercies/' 

No  sentence  can  be  more  figurative,  and 
none  more  expressive.  The  images  are  bor- 
rowed from  man  and  his  attire  ;  from  that  part 
of  man  which,  though  hidden  from  human 
view,  and  guarded  from  external  impression, 
is  very  suddenly  and  sensibly  affected,  through 
the  organs  of  the  body,  or  the  reflections  of  the 
mind,  with  objects  and  occurrences,  thatinterest 
the  passions.  Thus  it  is  said  of  Joseph,  when 
his  brother  Benjamin  was  presented  to  him  in 
Egypt,  "  that  he  made  haste  to  withdraw  him- 
self, for  his  bowels  did  yearn  upon  his  brother.'' 
Of  the  mother,  whose  cliild  Solomon  was  about 


to  divide,  to  detect  an  imposture  to  which  his 
wisdom  only  was  equal,  it  is  said,  she  cried,  "O 
my  Lord,  give  her  the  living  child  and  by  no 
wise  slay  it,  for  her  bowels  did  yearn  upon  her 
Son."  From  this  effect  which  passionate  ex- 
citements have  upon  this  part  of  our  frame, 
bowels  are  sometimes  used  for  the  heart,  the  seat 
of  the  passions,  or  the  whole  assemblage  of 
ihem.  Thus  the  Apostle  to  the  Corinthians, 
says,  "  Ye  are  not  straitncd  in  us,  ye  are 
straitned  in  your  own  bowels/'  They  are  used 
to  signify  pity  andcompassion,  and  are  adopted 
to  express  the  tenderest,  compassionate  sensibil- 
ities of  the  Deity.  "  Is  Ephraim  my  dear  Son  ? 
Is  he  a  pleasant  child  ?  for  since  I  spake  against 
him,  I  do  earnestly  remember  him  still,  there- 
fore my  bowels  are  troubled  for  him ;  I  will 
surely  have  mercy  upon  him,  saith  the  Lord." — 
The  same  expressive  language,  and  bold  figure 
the  Church  uses  in  her  expostulations  with  God, 
"  Where  is  thy  zeal  and  the  sounding  of  thy  bow- 
els, and  of  thy  tender  mercies  towards  me  ?  are 
tliey  restrained  ?"  The  phrase  indeed  is  He- 
brew, denoting  the  tenderest  compassion.  These 
bowels  we  are  directed  to  put  on;  not  hypocriti- 
cally, to  make  a  fan'  show  of  the  fruits  without 

the  principle  :  nor  to  pretend  to  the  principle   ■ 
E 


10 

\tithout  the  fruits ;  but  to  be  wholly  invested,  and 
covered  with  the  principle  ;  to  put  it  on,  as  we 
put  on  our  clothing  ;  to  call  into  visible  exer- 
cise in  all  proper  expressions  our  pity  and  com- 
passion, and  be  clothed  all  around  with  them, 
as  with  a  cloak.  The  command  of  the  text 
then,  stripped  of  its  figure,  is,  that  we  should 
possess  a  principle  of  the  tenderest  compassion, 
that  we  should  stir  up  and  exercise  not  only 
mercy,  but  mercies,  tendernesses  of  compas- 
sion, resenting  the  miseries  of  others,  as  sharing 
with  them  ;  ready  to  distribute,  willing  to  com- 
municate, according  to  our  ability,  and  the 
particular  complexion  of  the  case,  to  all  pro- 
per objects — which  introduces  our  second  par- 
ticular. 

II.  To  designate  the  objects  of  these  tender 
mercies. 

The  Y  are  proper  objects  of  compassion,  who 
are  in  any  kind  of  danger,  affliction,  or  distress. 
But  the  fruits  of  our  compassion  must  be  di- 
versified according  to  the  different  circumstan- 
ces  of  the  objects,  and  their  different  dangers 
and  sufferings.  The  rich  and  the  prosperous, 
the  sons  of  pleasure  and  dissipation,  being  ig- 
norant of  God  and  of  his  grace,  the  slave  of 
carnal  appetite  and  passion,  are  objects  of  com- 


11 

passion  with  those,  who  have  been  taught  of 
God,  who  have  been  made  sensible  of  the  aw- 
ful danger  and  guilt  of  a  state  of  unrenewed 
nature  ;  who  know  the  responsibility  of  man, 
and  the  indignation  and  wrath  which  will  be 
the  portion  of  every  one  that  doeth  evil.     The 
fruits  of  com  passion,  however,  that  these  want, 
are   counsel  and  advice,  admonition   and  re- 
proof, prayers  and  tears.     The  sick  and  the  af- 
flicted, the  sorrowful  and  perplexed,  are  ob- 
jects of  pity  and  condolence.     "  To  him  that  is 
in    affliction,  pity    should  be   shewn   by    his 
friend."     But  such  may  be  their  worldly  cir- 
cumstanses,  such  will  they  often  be,   that  our 
soothing  attention,  our  condolence  and  sym- 
pathy, our  coujisels  and   pra3xrs,  will  be  the 
onjy  proper  expressions  of  our  mercy  and  com- 
passion.    The  sons  and  daughters  of  poverty, 
who  are  strai2;htened  for  the   necessaries  and 
comforts  of  life,  are  objects  of  compassion  ;  the 
most    regular   expression  of  which,  however, 
would  be  rather  to  find  them  means  by  indus- 
try to  supply  their  own  wants,  if  their  health 
and  age  rendered  it  proper,  than  to  supply  them 
without,  and  countenance  and  encourage  their 
indolence  and  inactivity.     If  age  or  sickness 
were  added   to  their  poverty,  our  compassion 


12 

should  minister  to  tlieir  relief,  by  giving  them 
those  things,  that  are  needful  for  the  body  ;  re- 
gulating our  benefactions  with  wisdom  and  dis- 
cretion, so  as  to  render  them  most  efficient  and 
acceptable.  But  of  all  objects  that  can  be  nam- 
ed, none  appear  to  me  to  have  a  higher  claim 
on  our  compassion,  than  the  children  of  the 
poor  and  destitute.  And  of  these  the  Female 
Orphan  rises  to  view,  the  most  prominent  ob- 
ject in  the  pitiable  group,  striking  every  fibre 
of  sensibility  in  the  human  heart,  and  awaken^ 
ing  the  tecderest  emotion  of  pity  and  compas- 
sion. Children  born  in  a  state  of  sin  and  guilt, 
heirs  to  the  sad  inheritance,  which  apostacy 
has  made  universal,  entering  a  world  full  of 
sufferings  and  snares,  in  connection  v/ith  par- 
ents, who  are  destitute  of  time  or  means  to  pay 
any  considerable  attention  to  their  wants  ;  their 
dangers  and  sufferings  must  be  many.  Ye  sons 
and  daughters  of  affluence  and  ease,  imagine 
your  children  in  this  situation.  But  if  their 
parents  though  poor  are  prudent,  industrious, 
and  pious;  if  a  godly  mother  is  continually 
dropping  her  instructions,  and  presenting  her 
aspirations,  while  she  hastily  attends  to  them,  as 
her  engagements  v.ill permit,  with  the  provision 
made  in  our  country  for  common  education. 


they  maybe  fitted  to  fill  the  station,  which  Pro- 
■^  idence  assigns  them,  with  reputation  to  them- 
selves, and  minister  to  the  beaut}^,  usefulness 
and  comfort  of  social  life.  But  if  the  character 
and  disposition  of  their  parents,  with  all  their 
poverty,  be  the  reverse  of  this,  impious,  intern-^ 
perate,  profane,  and  passionate,  how  deplora- 
ble the  prospect  for  them  and  for  society  !  The 
Spartans  thought  it  improper,  that  any  parents 
should  educate  their  own  children  ;  but  if  any 
measures  could  be  devised,  by  which  such  par- 
ents could  be  compelled  to  shut  the  doors  of 
these  nurseries  of  vice  and  ruin,  an  essential 
benefit  would  be  conferred  on  the  individuals, 
and  on  society.  Ye  pious  parents,  how  would 
ye  feel  for  your  children,  placed  in  such  cir- 
cumstances, and  presented  with  such  exam- 
ples ?  Breathing  air  polluted  with  oaths  and 
obscenity,  hearing  the  conflict  of  angry  and 
revengeful  passion,  and  often  feeling  the  effect 
of  the  tempest  in  unreasonable  correction  on 
their  innocent  heads  ?  But  while  their  parents 
live,  the  children  have  a  shelter ;  and  though 
often  hard  treated  and  hungry,  yet  they  are 
saved  from  famishing.  But  when  a  father  falls, 
when  a  mother  dies,  when  both  father  and 
mother  sleep  in  the  dust,  how  pitiable  the  case ! 


u 

how   deplorable  the  prospects  for  the  Orphan 
children  !  Are  they  not  objects  of  compassion  ? 
Do  thej  not  call  for  bowels  of  mercies  ?     Ye 
fond  parents,  think  of  your  children,  left  thus 
helpless  and  forlorn,  and  what  relief  would  it 
afford  you,   to  have  the  anguish  accompanied 
with  the  reflection,  that  there  was  an  asylum 
opened    for   theni   under  the  management  of 
piety^  prudence,  and    tenderness  ;    where  all 
necessary  wants  Avould  be  supplied,  and  appro- 
priate instruction  given.     The  children  of  the 
poor  and  wretched,   the  harmless  child  of  want, 
the  fatherless  and  motherless  call  for  the  exer- 
cise of  compassion  in  charity,  and  alms.     They 
need  a  sanctuary,    a  shelter  from  the  chilhng 
storm   and  tempest ;  they  need  food  and  rai- 
ment ;  they  need  means  of  instruction,  and  re- 
gular government,  that  they  may  be  disciplined 
and   prepared   for  the  humble,  yet   important 
station,  that  in  human  probability  they  will  fill. 
To  the  accomplishing  these  desirable  objects, 
liberal  contributions  must  be  made  ;  societies 
formed  ;  funds  established  ;  and  the  arduous, 
and  too  often  thankless  task  of  arranging;  and 
managing  such  institutions  assumed  by  some, 
who  are  wiliino'  to  clothe  themselves  with  the 
responsibility,  and  mi^ke  the  sacrifices  which 


i5 

the  duty  demands.  For  what  is  every  one's  bu- 
siness, is  ordinarily  by  every  one  ncolected* 
Such  arrangements  formed  and  oro-anized 
should  not  paralyze  our  bowels  of  mercies  to- 
wards these  pitiable  objects  of  compassion  ;  but 
rather  should  they  animate,  quicken,  and 
strengthen  them,  in  proportion  to  the  ground 
of  confidence,  that  their  fruits  will  be  well  em- 
ployed.    But  we  are, 

III.  To  offer  some  farther  motives  and  aro-u- 
ments  to  enforce  the  duty,  and  excite  the  dis- 
position. 

Here  I  am  pressed  with  the  crowd,  that  pre- 
sent themselves,  and  must  pause  to  make  se- 
lection ;  for  every  thing  in  heaven  and  on  earth 
tenders  motives  and  incitements  to  benevolence 
and  compassion.  Man  s  hopes  and  fears,  his 
present,  and  his  future  interests  combine  to 
urge  him  to  put  on  bowels  of  mercies.  God  is 
the  source  and  assemblage  of  all  excellence  ; 
man  has  none,  but  in  his  resemblance  of  God  : 
In  what  can  this  resemblance  be  carried  hi o her, 
than  in  sincere,  unsophisticated  beneficence 
and  tender  compassion  for  their  proper  objects? 
"  God  is  love.  He  who  dwelleth  in  love, 
dwelleth  in  God,  and  God  in  him.'' 

Encompassed  with  the  fruits  and  effects  ot 
divine  goodness,    we  hve,  move  and  have  our 


being,  Mercy  is  our  daily  bread,  and  our  night- 
ly repose.  It  is  God's  sun  that  cheers,  his  air 
that  animates,  and  his  bounty  that  feeds  the 
innumerable  tribes  of  creatures  his  hands  have 
made.  All  eyes  wait  upon  him  ;  that  which  he 
giveth  them,  they  gather.  They  live  upon  his 
goodness.  But  infinite  and  eternal  mercy  and 
compassion  have  triumphed  towards  man. 
God  hath  so  loved  him,  even  when  in  rebel- 
lious enmity,  as  to  give  his  only  begotten  and 
dearly  beloved  Son  for  his  relief;  and  being- 
given,  he  spared  him  not  from  the  deepest  hu- 
miliation, and  most  extreme  sufferings,  that 
were  necessary  to  testify  the  infmite  odiousness 
of  sin,  and  lay  an  honourable  foundation  for  free 
pardon,  and  full  justification.  Beloved,  if  God 
so  loved  us  ;  we  ought  to  love  one  another. 
For  we  cannot  be  profitable  to  God  :  Our  good- 
ness extendeth  not  to  him  ;  but  it  may  to  the 
saints,  and  to  fellow  suifercrs ;  and  thus  thanks- 
givings may  abound  to  him. 

Every  thing  in  the  person,  ofiices  and  work 
of  Christ  ;  in  his  birth,  life,  miracles,  death 
and  resurrection,  presents  motives  and  incite- 
ments to  benevolence.  The  oiiices,  gifts  and 
works  of  the  Spirit  in  his  illuminations,  quick- 
enino-s,  slrivinois  and  consolation,  soften  to  the 


17 

cxfercise  of  compassion,  and  solicit  to  the  dis- 
play of  its  fruits.  Our  present  enjoyments ;  our 
hopes  for  those,  who  are  the  objects  of  our  com- 
passion, if  our  energies  be  well  directed  ;  our 
fears  for  them  and  for  society,  if  they  be 
withheld,  and  neglected  ;  the  probable  pros- 
pect of  benefit  to  society,  and  particularly  to 
domestic  enjoyment  in  the  species  of  com- 
passion, which  we  are  this  day  called  to  exer- 
cise, forcibly  constrain  us  to  be  liberal  in  the 
fruits  of  mercy.  All  these  topics,  which  the  time 
will  permit  us  only  to  suggest,  are  fruitful  of 
motives  to  charitable  compassion.  But  in  ad- 
dition to  all  these,  it  is  the  special  command  of 
God.  It  is  again  and  again  enjoined  upon  us, 
that  we  should  be  merciful  and  compassionate  ; 
that  we  should  give  alms  of  such  things  as  we  pos- 
sess ;  that  we  should  be  merciful,  as  our  Father 
who  is  in  heaven  is  merciful.  To  beget  and 
cherish  this  disposition  in  us,  to  make  us  par- 
takers of  the  spirit  of  Christ,  is  the  object,  ten- 
dency and  effect  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  :  In  the 
want  of  this  disposition  then,  and  especially  in 
the  prevalence  of  its  opposite,  we  never  can 
have  evidence,  that  we  are  the  disciples  of 
Christ,  the  subjects  of  his  grace.  We  never 
can  prove  our  relation  to  Christ,  as  his  redeem- 


18 

ed  servants,  or  our  title  to  tlie  blessings  of  eter- 
nal life.  The  command  in  our  text  is  associated 
with  this  discription  of  character — "  Put  on 
therefore,  as  the  elect  of  God,  holy  and  beloved, 
bowels  of  mercies,  kindness,  humbleness  of 
mind,  meekness,  long-suffering,  gentleness,  &c. 
Faith  without  works  is  dead — and  professions 
without  practical  attestation  to  their  sincerity 
are  nothing  worth.  "  If  a  brother  or  sister  be 
naked,  or  destitute  of  daily  food,  and  one  of 
you  say  to  him,  depart  in  peace  ;  be  warmed, 
be  filled  ;  notwithstanding,  you  give  them  not 
those  things  that  are  needful  to  the  body — what 
does  it  profit  ?"  Shall  I  proceed  ?  Need  yoix 
other  motives  and  arguments  to  mercy  and  com- 
passion ?  Come  with  me  then  from  earth  to 
heaven  :  Contemplate  with  me  then,  that  most 
august  scene,  which  shall  shut  up  time,  and 
introduce  eternity  :  Look  with  self-application 
upon  the  issue  of  the  final  judgment.  The  Sav- 
iour has  given  us  an  anticipated  description — 
and  said,  "  Yv  hen  the  son  of  man  shall  come  in 
his  glory,  and  all  his  holy  angels  with  him, 
then  shall  he  sit  upon  the  throne  of  his  glory  ; 
and  before  him  shall  be  gathered  all  nations  ; 
and  they  shall  be  separated  to  his  right  hand, 
and  to  his  left.  Then  shall  the  king  say  to  them 


19 

pn  his  right  hand  :  Come  ye  blessed  of  my  fa- 
ther, inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you, 
from  the  foundation  of  the  world  :  For  I  was 
an  hungred,  and  ye  gave  me  meat ;  thirsty,  and 
ye  gave  me  drink ;  a  stranger,  and  ye  took  me 
in  ;  naked,  and  ye  clothed  me  ;  sick,  and  in 
prison,  and  ye  visited  me — inasmuch  as  3'^e  have 
done  it  unto  one  of  the  least  ot  these  my  breth- 
ren, ye  have  done  it  unto  me.  Then  shall  he 
say  to  them  on  his  left  hand — "  depart  accurs- 
ed into  everlasting  fire,  prepared  for  the  devil 
and  his  angels  :  Fori  was  an  hungred,  and  you 
gave  me  no  meat ;  thirsty,  and  you  gave  me  no 
drink :  I  w^as  a  stranger,  sick,  and  in  prison, 
and  you  visited  me  not."  Lord  this  can't  be,  re- 
ply the  covetous  unbelievers,  for  we  never  saw 
thee.  "  Inasjiiuch  as  ye  did  it  not  unto  one  of  the 
least  of  these,  ye  did  it  not  to  me.  These  shall 
go  away  into  everlasting  punishment ;  but  the 
righteous  into  life  eternal.''  In  the  view  of  such 
a  scene  and  its  issue ;  in  the  hearing  of  such  ac- 
cents from  the  lips  of  him  whose  words  are  yea, 
and  amen,  can  we  shut  up  the  bowels  of  our 
compassion  ?  Shall  we  not  rather  put  on  the 
tenderest  mercies,  clothe  ourselves  with  them 
as  with  a  garment,  and  rejoice  in  opportunities 
to  exercise  and  display  them  towards  such  ob- 


20 

jects,  as  the  Saviour  has  said  we  shall  always 
have  with  us  to  be  the  receivers  of  his  bounty, 
from  our  hands  ? 

We  shall  now  attempt  some  improvement, 
adapted  to  the  object  of  our  present  meeting. 

We  are  this  day  invited  to  the  house  of  God, 
by  an  amiable  and  respectable  circle  of  ladies, 
who  "  are  associated  for  the  charitable  purpose 
of  rescuing  from  poverty  and  vice  ;  instructing 
and  employing,  and  training  up  to  virtue, 
usefulness,  female  orphan  children/'  What  agen- 
erous  and  compassionate  design  !  "  Blessed  is 
he  that  considereth  the  poor,  the  Lord  will  de^ 
liver  him  in  time  of  trouble."  The  multiphed 
institutions,  that  our  age  has  produced,  wear- 
ing this  family  complexion,  do  honor  to  the  hu^ 
man  heart ;  test  the  humanity  and  compassion 
of  our  common  country — and  I  hope,  owe  some- 
thinoj  to  the  influence  of  that  reli2;ion,  whose 
commanding  features  are  love  and  mercy.  We 
are  invited  by  the  managers  of  this  institution, 
who  present  themselves  and  their  orphan  charge 
at  the  feet  of  mercy,  to  celebrate  with  them 
their  sixth  anniversary.  To  unite  in  rendering 
praise  to  God,  that  he  hath  mercifully  disposed 
them  to  open  an  asylum  for  the  most  helpless 
and  hopeless  of  our  race — the  female,  orphan 


21 

child  of  want ;  and  that  he  hath  enabled  them 
to  rise  superior  to  the  disconragements  and  dif- 
ficulties that  they  anticipated  ;  that  he  hath  so 
far  seconded  their  sincere,  though  feeble  efforts, 
and  raised  up  friends  and  benefactors  to  them  ; 
that  they  have  been  able  to  sprinkle  the  dew  of 
kindness  upon  the  heads  of  so  many  helpless  or- 
phans, and  bring  them  forward  to  hope  and  use- 
fulness. They  present  this  spectacle  as  a  proof 
of  the  benevolence  and  usefulness  of  their  insti- 
tution ;  and  as  a  pledge  of  their  wdse  improve- 
ment of  whatever  you  may  entrust  to  their  man- 
agement, for  the  maintaining  and  promoting 
their  pious  and  charitable  design.  They  indeed 
appear  to  ask  our  alms  ;  but  for  whom  do  they 
ask  them  '^  For  themselves  ?  For  their  friends  ? 
No  !  The  helpless  orphan,  the  child  of  woe. 
They  are  Almoners — but  whose  ?  even  his  who 
is  king  in  Zion  :  They  ask  of  you  the  box  of 
ointment- -but  it  is  to  anoint  the  feet  of  your 
blessed  Saviour  ;  by  pouring  it  on  the  heads  of 
his  little  ones.  If  we  felt  the  power  of  correct 
principle,  and  viewed  moral  and  spiritual  sub- 
jects, as  I  am  persuaded  they  are  viewed  by 
superior  spirits ;  instead  of  feehng  as  if  we  con- 
ferred an  obligation  in  meeting  the  wishes  of 
those  who  seek  support  for  wise  and  pious  char^ 


itable  institutions,  we  should  feel,  that  the 
patrons  and  managers  of  such  institutions  con- 
ferred an  obligation  upon  us,  by  affording  an 
opportunity  for  the  exercise  of  legitimate  com- 
passion, and  stirring  us  up  to  traffic  for  eternity; 
to  honor  the  stewardship  with  which  we  are  en- 
trusted ;  and  send  treasures  before,  to  meet  us 
in  a  better  world.  The  most  correct  arbiter  has 
decided,  that  "  it  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to 
receive  f  and  he  hath  asserted,  that  "he,  who 
Jaath  pity  on  the  poor,  lendeth  to  the  Lord ;  and 
that,  which  he  hath  given,  will  he  pay  him  again/' 
We  ought  to  rejoice,  when  opportunities  for 
charity  present,  that  admit  of  no  hesitancy  or 
doubt  with  respect  to  duty  ;  and  be  thankful, 
when  our  alms  are  so  bestowed,  as  to  give  reason 
to  think,  that  through  them  thanksgivings  shall 
abound  to  God.  We  are  but  stewards  of  what 
we  possess — God  is  the  proprietor.  Our  trea- 
sures, our  talents  are  committed  to  us  in  trust. 
For  their  use  and  improvement  we  must  give 
account.  The  rich  and  the  poor,  in  their  dif- 
ferent degrees  ever  have  and  ever  will  diversi- 
fy the  face  of  society.  But  these  distinctions 
dont  mark  degrees  of  merit,  nor  designate  ob- 
jects of  divine  favour.  They  minister  to  the 
beauty  and  comfort  of  social  life  ;  they  afford 


as 

opportunity  for  the  performance  of  different 
duties,  and  the  exercise  of  different  graces  ; 
they  test  the  human  character,  and  perfect  this 
world  as  a  state  of  probation  and  trial.  Per- 
haps it  may  be  right,  that  men  should  use  and 
expend  upon  themselves  and  their  connexions 
what  is  necessary,  to  support  the  credit  and  use- 
fulness of  their  rank  in  society  ;  but  there  is  a 
portion  they  possess,  that  is  given  to  bestow 
upon  those,  who  need  their  help  and  assistance; 
and  if  they  expend  this  on  their  pleasures  or  their 
pride,  they  are  unjust  and  faithless  stewards. 
What  idea  should  we  form  of  that  servant,  who 
should  convert  to  his  own  use  and  gratification, 
what  his  master  had  just  committed  to  him  to 
carry  to  some  poor  suffering  object  ?  With 
what  hesitancy  would  he  report  to  his  master  ? 
and  what  confusion  would  cover  him,  if  he  found 
himself  detected  ?  Some  portion  of  our  sub- 
stance, whether  this  be  greater  or  less,  is  en- 
trusted to  us,  to  distribute  to  those  that  are 
•more  necessitous  than  we.  If  we  convert  all  to 
our  own  use,  we  imitate  this  faithless  servant, 
without  the  cover  of  secrecy,  under  which  he 
shrouds  himself;  for  the  eyes  of  our  master  are 
in  every  place,  and  he  will  judge  the  secrets  of 
all  hearts  according  to  the  gospel. 


^4 

In  our  ignorance  of  the  objects,  that  sohcit 
our  charity,  and  of  the  use  to  which  they  will 
devote  it  ;  we  often  find  an  apology  or  excuse 
for  withholding  our  alms  :  but  can  this  chilling 
blast  blow  on  the  present  occasion  ?  Our  char- 
ity is  solicited  for  the  poor,  forsaken,  orphan  fe- 
male, cast  upon  the  world  in  native  guilt  and 
corruption  ;  destitute  of  means  of  support  and 
instruction.  A  respectable  number  of  pious, 
discreet,  foster  mothers,  associated  as  their  guar- 
dians and  patronesses,  are  guarantees,  that  your 
bounty  shall  not  be  abused  or  misapplied.  Can 
any  doubt  remain,  whether  these  are  proper  ob- 
jects of  charity  ?  Can  any  one  reasonably  wish 
to  have  his  charity  better  secured  ?  Does  not  the 
test  ofexperiment  honor  the  conclusions  of  reason 
and  prove  the  utihty  of  this  institution  ?  Look 
at  these  little  children,  snatched  from  poverty 
and  vice,  from  rags  and  wretchedness  :  Neat 
they  now  appear — healthy,  orderly,  happy, 
perhaps  I  may  not  say  gracious  ;  but  placed 
under  the  droppings  of  daily  instructions,  which 
arc  the  channels,  through  which  God  ordinarily 
communicates  grace.  How  different  probably 
would  have  been  their  situation  this  day,  had 
this  institution  been  unkown  amonojvou  ?  But 
is  the  benefit  confmed  to  them  ?     Do  vou  not 


2S 

feel  the  beneficial  influence  ?  Does  it  not  prom- 
ise to  increase  the  comforts  of  domestic  life  ?  Is 
not  charitj  in  this  instance  casting  salt  into  a 
fountain,  whose  streams  may,  in  due  time,  wa- 
ter and  refresh  all  your  families  ?  Let  then  the 
stranger  whom  you  have  honored  with  your  at- 
tention, who  has  seen  the  benefits  of  a  similar 
institution  in  the  circle  of  his  more  intimate 
friends,  be  heard  as  an  advocate  for  this  insti- 
tution. Let  him  entreat  each  one  according 
to  the  ability  which  God  hath  given,  not  only 
to  be  ready,  but  to  be  forward  in  this  cause. 
Give  this  day  liberally  ;  give  cheerfully ;  for 
God  loveth  a  cheerful  giver.  Let  not  the  mer- 
chant excuse  himself,  because  the  streams  have 
been  embarrassed,  through  which  plenty  flow- 
ed. Let  him  take  from  the  stores  that  the  for- 
mer tides  of  prosperity  wafted  to  his  coffers, 
and  seek  a  blessing  upon  future  exertions.  Let 
him  that  is  honoured  among  men,  honor  himself, 
by  shewing  that  he  hath  mercy  on  the  poor.  Let 
the  man  of  science  and  profession,  of  husband- 
ry and  mechanic  arts  offer  a  portion  of  what 
God  hath  given  him  to  this  offering  of  the  Lord. 
Let  the  man  of  pleasure,  and  the  lady  of  fash- 
ion devote  to  this  sacrifice,  what  they  had  de- 
signed for  purposes,  that  would  subserve  neither 
D 


their  reputation  nor  happiness.  Fathers  and 
mothers,  in  your  bosoms  I  have  an  advocate  ; 
indulge  your  children  to  help  these  helpless  or- 
phans, and  let  their  intant  hands  be  formed  to 
deeds  of  charity.  O,  that  we  could  all  make  an 
oiferino:  on  the  altar  of  charity  this  day,  of 
whatever  might  be  abused  to  be  the  food  of  our 
pride,  or  the  food  of  our  folly  ;  and  in  every 
thins  use  this  world  as  not  abusing  it !  No  of- 
fering  can  be  so  great  as  to  claim  any  reward  at 
the  hand  of  God — for  it  is  of  his  own  that  we 
oive  him.  None  can  be  so  small  as  to  be  un- 
noticed  by  him  who  is  verily  in  this  place— 
whose  eye  is  upon  us,  and  who  is  not  unrighte- 
ous to  forget  any  work  or  labour  of  love, 
which  you  may  shew  to  his  name.  When  the 
ao-ents  of  these  amiable  ladies  shall  approach  to 
ask  your  alms,  debate  not  with  yourselves  wheth- 
er you  shall  meet  their  wishes,  but  let  the  ful- 
ness of  your  hearts,  and  the  correctness  of  the 
occasion  silence  all  demur,  and  let  not  your 
left  hand  know  what  your  right  hand  doeth. 

But  should  you  give  all  your  goods  to  feed 
the  poor,  you  would  not  reach  all  the  demands 
of  a  merciful  God,  nor  satisfy  all  the  wishes  of 
the  preacher,  unless  with  this  inferior  gift  you 
give  yourselves   away*  to  be  the  Lord's,  and 


27 

consecrate  yourselves  in  soul  and  body,  in  tal- 
ents and  interests  to  him  that  died  for  you  and 
rose  again  ;  dien  would  all  things  be  emphati- 
cally yours  ;  all  things  would  work  together  for 
your  good,  and  you  would  have  a  sure  title  to 
an  inheritance  incorruptible,  undefiled ;  and  that 
fadeth  not  away.  In  the  language  of  the  apos- 
tle let  me  then  close  my  discourse,  and  "  be- 
seech you  brethren,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  that 
you  present  your  bodies  a  living  sacrifice,  holy 
and  acceptable  to  God,  which  is  your  reasona- 
ble service."  And  that  '*  to  do  good  and  com- 
municate, you  forget  not — for  v/ilh  such  sa- 
crifice, God  is  well  pleased/' 


5a» 


A  Statement  of  the  Funds  of  the  FEMALE  CHARITABLE 
SOCIETY  from  June  1S08,  to  June  ISOy. 


TxpenHhures. 

Subscriptions,  Interest  and  Contributions 

Dob. 

Cts, 

Dots.     Cts. 

437 

80 

•      Subscription,       ?6"1 

Balance^      6o 

93 

Interest,               100"       33 
Contribution.      131       40 

4^8     73 


498       73 


DoJs. 
Funds  of  the  Society  on  Interest,  1 109 

U'wo  Shares  in  Essex  JNJerriniack  Bridge,       340 


Cts. 
50 


1449      50 


Since  the  eommencement  of  the  Societi/  in  June  1803,  there  iavt 
been  admitted  l6"  Children,  8  arc  put  out  in  approved  families,  and  8 
remain  unJtr  the  care  of  the  Coxerness.  Jt  is  to  be  observed,  the 
Children's  clothing  has  been  chiefly  supplied  by  the  Managers. 


2<? 


BOARD  OF  MANAGEllS. 

FOR  THE  P^ESE^T  YE  ill. 

Mrs.  Hawk  AH  Balcii,  First  Dircctrpw. 

Sarah  Thompson,  SecomI  DJrrctrcss. 

]\fAROAni:T  Atvtood,  Treasurcj. 

Kmzatjrth  Noyes,  Serrct.'iry. 

Ak^ e  Noiiton, 

VJAZ^  E.  Cautfu, 

bvHAVtiA  CorriJi, 

Anna  WirrrLiiiGHT,    ^  IManagen. 

.Iant  Green  leaf, 

F,M7AnF.Tn  Coombs, 
Miss  Mary  Wo  art, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Goodhue,  Governess. 


MEi\ir>p:RS  NAMES- 


Mrs.  Margaret  Andrews, 
Margaret  Atwood, 
Sarali  A<Jain!«, 
ISar;ili  lia^lcy, 
Hannah  Batch, 
J.unice  Bu!ch, 
Betsey  Barllelt, 
Sarah  Boardinan, 
Mary  Bia<lhlreet, 
l^lizabeth  Le  BrcUm, 
INIary  Ikirnhan], 
Su'^an  Boardnian, 

Mi'-s  Hannah  BarlleJt, 
Susanna  B()ardinan, 
Mary  Boardnian, 
Bet^ey  Bradstreet, 
Hanniih  Bra(ll»ury, 

Mr?.  Lhza  t.  Carter, 
Elizabeth  Carter, 
Mary  Chase, 
Betsey  Chandler, 
ISIary  Clark, 
Susanna  Coffin, 
lictscy  (Coffin, 
Miehnl  Coomlis, 
Maiy  C.  Cofliii, 
Elizabeth  Coombsi 


Mrs. Lylia  Cigss, 
Aldiy  Cutler, 

Miss  Horuthea  F.  Coffin, 
Eliza  Coffin, 
Susanna  Coffin, 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Dana, 
Elizabeth  Defter, 
Sarah  Dole, 
Mary  Dnie, 
Nancy  Hean, 
Sarah  Emerson, 
Mary  Foster, 
Elizabeth  Fleteher, 
Hannah  Foliansbce, 

MibsEois  I'rolhin^huin, 

Mrs. Mary  Ciage, 

Sarah  Clocjdrich, 
Eli/a  bet  h  Greenlcaf, 
Mary  Greenlcaf, 
Elizabeth  Gunnison^ 
Jane  Greenleaf, 
Martha  Haskell, 
Sarah  Holland, 
Nabby  Howard, 
Betty  Hunt, 
Elizabeth  Ham, 

Miss  Elizabeth  Ham, 


so 


Mrs.  Hannah  Jackson, 

Betsey  Jenkins, 

Sarah  Johnson, 

Joanna  Jones, 

Henrietta  Johnson;^ 
Wiss  INIary  Johnson, 
Mrs.  Lucy  Kimball, 

Mary  Kimball, 

Sarah  C.  Livermore, 

Sally  Locke, 

Hannah  F.  Lee, 

Sarah  ISlarch, 

Rebecca  Marquand, 

Lucy  Slills, 

Frances  IVIoody, 

]Martha  Morss, 

Dolly  Merrill, 

Anne  Norton, 

Sarah  Noyes, 

Dorcas  Noyes, 

Dorcas  Noyes,  jun. 

Elizabeth  Noyes, 
Miss  Nancy  Norton, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Otis, 
Hannah  Palmer, 
Anna  Peabody, 
Elizabeth  Perkins, 
Sarah  Petti ngell, 
INIartha  Pike, 
Sarah  Prout, 
Martha  Rand, 
Sally  Rand, 
Mercy  Richards, 
Martha  S.  Rollins, 
Susanna  C.  Richards, 


Mrs.  Elizabeth  Rappall, 
Sarah  Rogers^ 

Miss  Mary  Richards, 
Anna  Sewall, 
Sarah  Smith, 
Judith  Sawyer, 

Mrs.  Mary  Stocker, 
Sally  Sweetser, 
Rebecca  Sweet, 
Mary  Smith, 
Mary  Smith,  jun. 
Sarah  Sprague, 
Judith  Sawyer, 
Eliza  Stickney, 
Nancy  Toppan, 
Hannah  Toppan, 
Hannah  Toppan,  jun. 
Sarah  Thompson, 
Sarah  Titcomb, 
Katy  Titcomb, 
LydiaTiacy, 
Deborah  Tenney, 
Sarah  Titcomb,  jun. 
Miss  Isabel  Thompson, 
Mrs.  Anna  Wheelwright, 
Dolly  Wood, 
Elizabeth  Wood, 
Elizabeth  Wyatt, 
Elizabeth  Wyer, 
Mary  Woart, 
Rebecca  Whcelwright,^ 
Mary  A.  White, 
Mary  Whipple, 
Miss  Mary  Woart, 

Rebecca  ^YhecKv right. 


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